Advice?

[BenMK]

Hey, my name is Ben, and I'm 14 and will be a freshman this coming fall. I want to fly fighters in the military. If I can't get a flying job in the military, I will enlist and be an ATC or someting like that. Basicly, I want to fly in the military and if I can't fly I will enlist.

Can anyone give me some advice on what the best options would be to fly in the military?

Ben

[bullmastiff]

Focus on college first..... You are gonan need a competitive GPA, and a college degree before you can even start the process. If you decide to go the ROTC route, try to be one of the "sharp" troops... Remember justfocus on being a pilot first, its way to early to pick what type of aircraft you want to fly. The needs of the Air Force and your class ranking will decide that

[GatorFC]

I give the kid props for wanting to enlist even if he doesn't get to fly. Good on you, Ben. I like to see people giving back to their country. Maybe there's hope for the youth of America yet.

[Aaron_Kearney]

As a sidenote, Ben, if you do get into pilot training in the AF, I think your chances of flight fighters will be pretty good should you want to. In the past few years, pilot candidates have opted to fly in large transport-category aircraft and the like (C-141, E-3, etc.) because those hours supposedely look better to the airlines.

[BenMK]

Thanks everyone!

I don't know why everyone is so worried about the airlines these days. Anyways military pilots. They think the military will pay for your flight training and then you can go on to the airlines. Oh well...

[Ryan110175]

[ QUOTE ]
As a sidenote, Ben, if you do get into pilot training in the AF, I think your chances of flight fighters will be pretty good should you want to. In the past few years, pilot candidates have opted to fly in large transport-category aircraft and the like (C-141, E-3, etc.) because those hours supposedely look better to the airlines.

[/ QUOTE ]
Since he's only 14 and 8-10 years from UPT, it's a little premature to say what the Air Force's needs will be. Just concentrate on maintaining a good GPA and outside activities. You have plenty a time before you even worry about what airframe you'll fly. Like said before, everyone at UPT starts as equals, and your class standing and the Air Force's needs will determine what airframe you'll fly.

[chris6387]

You could look into the military academies. They're not easy to get into, so you should waste no time in starting to beef your resume this fall (i.e. sports, good grades, leadership positions, community involvement, etc.)

[Aaron_Kearney]

For that matter, you could also look into ROTC programs. The military academies are superior - yet rigorous - universities. If you desire a bit more freedom during your college years, joining the ROTC can get you on the path to being a pilot in the military after you graduate, and can qualify you for ROTC-only scholarships as well. A senior at my school got a $100,000 scholarship to the school of his choice from the AFROTC. That's a lot of dough.

Joining the military - much less getting a pilot slot in it - is a big decision. You'll have PLENTY of time to think all of it over. Just don't forget to work hard, have fun and meet some girls during high school.

[maverick2]

I would definitely try to get into the Air Force Academy if I was 14 again. I would get a high GPA in high school with lots of extracurricular activities like sports and high school jrotc, and a private license.

I have a few officer friends that went to West Point and they said life there wasn't as hard as they thought it would be. They party just as much. They didn't like the attention to detail training games (room inspection, uniform inspection, etc.), formations at 0600, and half their summers were taken up. I'm sure the Air Force academy is a little less rigourous and have much hotter females, plus Colorado Springs is nice. Hope this helps.

[PorcoRosso]

Yea man just trying to focus on getting a high GPA, be as much as a Jock as possible around school.
Also try and get as much info as you can to go to the academies. If you don't decide on going to the academies and you want to go to a normal college still try and play as much sports and get as high of a GPA as possible, this will prepare you for being recognized as a top notch candidate in ROTC and help you get a pilot slot.